This seems like politics as well. I know a lot of people with well-formed, thoughtful opinions that I think would do a great job making laws, but have enough self-doubt/disinterest that it's never going to happen.

You know what would be fun and really engaging? Watching a subject-matter-expert and a skilled lawyer pair-program on writing the outline of some legislation.

Why would you interview someone you already worked with? What?

All interview material should be run through mock interviews with internal developers before asking anyone outside the company. This is the first step to preventing legitimately stupid questions from making its way into your process.

They would like those people to participate in interviewing candidates.